Contract research projects Magister

Central Czech registry of morphologically examined breast cancers, with particular emphasis on the collection of data regarding the examination of HER2/neu status in the Czech population.

The Magister project was initiated in 2010 as a registry focused on the collection of data regarding the examination of HER2/neu positivity in the Czech population. The registry has been designed as a tool for monitoring HER2/neu examinations and their results as a significant diagnostic marker for breast cancer.

HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2) is a cell membrane surface-bound receptor tyrosine kinase which is normally involved in the signal transduction pathways leading to cell growth and differentiation. HER2 is encoded by the HER2/neu gene, a known proto-oncogene. Overexpression of this gene is correlated with higher aggressiveness in breast cancers.

Approximately 25% of breast cancers (the estimated proportion is different for each country) have an amplification of the HER2/neu gene or overexpression of its protein product. Overexpression of this receptor in breast cancer is associated with increased disease recurrence and worse prognosis. Because of its prognostic role as well as its ability to predict response to trastuzumab (Herceptin®) or lapatinib (Tyverb®), breast cancers are routinely checked for overexpression of HER2/neu.

The main goal of the project is to build a database which will primarily serve as a source of de-identified data on the number of HER2/neu examinations in the Czech Republic, on the results of reference testing, on the proportion of HER2/neu positivity, or on the way of dealing with unclear findings.

The project was initiated at the Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses of the Masaryk University (IBA MU) and has continued at the Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses Ltd (IBA Ltd), a university company.

Partners: departments of pathology in hospitals as well as stand-alone pathology laboratories in the Czech Republic (you can find more detailed information – in Czech language only – on the website of the Magister project)